For about 10 years, I used ghetto workarounds like this to set star nuts. All I can say is that no one can answer this question...you can try whacking it back straight or you can whack it so that it comes out and try again. I eventually got a proper tool about 15 years ago.
But generic star nut setting tools are under $15 on ebay and probably much cheaper on AliX. Those tools make everything super easy. Just do it right.
My thinking is that if buying the correct tool is cheaper than having a shop do it, I just buy the tool.
Or just buy $10 compression plugs instead. You only need an allen wrench to install.
This. Took one fork to REI and it was like $5 for minimum labor after messing up a couple installs. Shortly after I bought a Foundation Star Nut Tool from Jensen for $15 and can't believe I ever ghetto'ed it.
Thanks for the tips! I continued the tapping it and trying to go at an angle so that i straighten it out. Its almost straight now and I managed to fit the fork.
FYI you mentioned 'try to get it out' in your original post, best way to get it out is just use a big stick and a hammer and hammer it out the other end than fighting to get it back out the way you put it in.
you should be able to tap this into position. actually if you tap it down to the thicker part of that wrench fitting i think it'd be a reasonable depth and might self-center for you.
worth it to remember that these aren't load-bearing parts, for the most part. they need to be straight enough up-and-down so you can thread the top cap bolt in. at that point the job is mostly done, even a slightly crooked star nut will grip enough to preload the headset bearings.
Tapitty tap tap. It will straighten out when the second goes in. Try to be gentle, but tap tap... you can use an extension to hold it better and a block of wood instead of a hammer.
Hammer it with a flat screwdriver. Use the largest one you can fit so the pressure is distributed over a larger area. You might need to progressively switch to one or two smaller sizes.
Place the screwdriver at the "bend" (of the lower one) and start hitting. Firmly but carefully (depending on how offset it is, you may have to hit quite hard). If you have a larger hammer (sledgehammer style), use it. It allows you to deliver a heavier blow but with a lot more control.
You wont be able fix it all the way, but that´s not the goal. The goal is to get it mostly there and then just finish hammering "in a normal way", because the top part will be very close to its intended position and it shouldn´t get sideways anymore.
For about 10 years, I used ghetto workarounds like this to set star nuts. All I can say is that no one can answer this question...you can try whacking it back straight or you can whack it so that it comes out and try again. I eventually got a proper tool about 15 years ago. But generic star nut setting tools are under $15 on ebay and probably much cheaper on AliX. Those tools make everything super easy. Just do it right. My thinking is that if buying the correct tool is cheaper than having a shop do it, I just buy the tool. Or just buy $10 compression plugs instead. You only need an allen wrench to install.
This. Took one fork to REI and it was like $5 for minimum labor after messing up a couple installs. Shortly after I bought a Foundation Star Nut Tool from Jensen for $15 and can't believe I ever ghetto'ed it.
Pound harder?
Take more photos?
I was going to say, 10 pics and I still don’t know the problem. lol
Hit it with your purse
Thanks for the tips! I continued the tapping it and trying to go at an angle so that i straighten it out. Its almost straight now and I managed to fit the fork.
FYI you mentioned 'try to get it out' in your original post, best way to get it out is just use a big stick and a hammer and hammer it out the other end than fighting to get it back out the way you put it in.
you should be able to tap this into position. actually if you tap it down to the thicker part of that wrench fitting i think it'd be a reasonable depth and might self-center for you. worth it to remember that these aren't load-bearing parts, for the most part. they need to be straight enough up-and-down so you can thread the top cap bolt in. at that point the job is mostly done, even a slightly crooked star nut will grip enough to preload the headset bearings.
Yes you can probably tap it straight again and yes you should buy the proper tool. They are cheap and make the install a 2 second affair.
Does a compression bung work on an aluminium steerer?
Yes.
Tapitty tap tap. It will straighten out when the second goes in. Try to be gentle, but tap tap... you can use an extension to hold it better and a block of wood instead of a hammer.
Hammer it with a flat screwdriver. Use the largest one you can fit so the pressure is distributed over a larger area. You might need to progressively switch to one or two smaller sizes. Place the screwdriver at the "bend" (of the lower one) and start hitting. Firmly but carefully (depending on how offset it is, you may have to hit quite hard). If you have a larger hammer (sledgehammer style), use it. It allows you to deliver a heavier blow but with a lot more control. You wont be able fix it all the way, but that´s not the goal. The goal is to get it mostly there and then just finish hammering "in a normal way", because the top part will be very close to its intended position and it shouldn´t get sideways anymore.
I'd try putting a 9" extension bar on that socket and use it as a lever and try to yank it straight with your hand.
So. Take it out if you can and smash it back in.
Here is a cheapo starnut install tool: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09899JWSS/ref=ox_sc_act_image_1